By Jim Clark

A report of an assault brought police to the vicinity of Taylor and Dane Streets last Tuesday morning.

Responding officers were told by the alleged victim that as he was crossing the street a car stopped short at the crosswalk and that a heated verbal exchange ensued between himself and the driver of the vehicle.

The alleged victim reportedly told police that he was spat at by the vehicle’s driver during the confrontation. As the suspect drove away the alleged victim reportedly shouted out to him that he had seen by his uniform that he was a Parking Control officer, that he had taken down his license plate number, and that he would be calling police to make a complaint.

The suspect reportedly drove a short distance up Dane Street and pulled into a parking lot, then turned his vehicle to face out into the street.

The alleged victim, a 61-year-old man, accompanied by his son, who had reportedly witnessed the incident, then walked over and stood in front of the suspect’s vehicle, waiting for police to arrive.

More words were exchanged and the suspect reportedly bumped the alleged victim with his vehicle a number of times, according to victim and witness testimony. The alleged victim’s son, who had phoned in the complaint to police, had reportedly taken footage of the alleged assaults with his cell phone. Police have reportedly retrieved the digital footage.

Other witnesses to the incident have corroborated the alleged victim’s testimony, police said.

Anthony P. Silvestri was placed under arrest and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.